Beyond Galas and Grants: Unlock Public Funding and Influence Through Advocacy

Description

Learning Objectives

1. Identify public funding opportunities available through local, state, and federal government sources and understand the steps required to pursue them.
2. Differentiate advocacy, lobbying, and political activities to ensure organizational compliance while maximizing mission impact.
3. Develop an effective advocacy strategy that builds relationships with policymakers, communicates community needs, and influences funding and policy decisions that support organizational goals.

This program is approved for 1 CFRE credit

Moderator

Lynda Tache
CFRE

Lynda Tache, CFRE, CLC, Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer of Lynda Tache Global has lived in Las Vegas for over 33 years and understands the importance of discovering one’s passion and purpose for giving back to the communities in which they live. She has been devoted to impacting her community through non-profit, volunteer, and advocacy work for over the past 30 years and has worked on policy efforts for nearly 20 years in Nevada and on a Federal Level.

After her only child was diagnosed with autism in 2006, she helped pass the first autism legislation in 2007, and started a non-profit organization in 2009 in honor of her son Grant, called Grant a Gift Autism Foundation. She grew Grant a Gift into a multi-million dollar organization and spearheaded the creation of the Ackerman Center under Grant a Gift and in partnership with the UNLV School of Medicine. Before exiting in 2017, she served as the President, CEO, and Board Member since inception, including Chairperson of the Board. Today Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center is aligned with the UNLV School of Medicine and is the largest center for Autism in the state of Nevada that serves thousands of children, youth, and family members annually.

In 2019, Lynda co-founded the Collaboration Center Foundation and Center and served as its President/CEO, Chief Funding Executive and Chairperson spearheading its multi-million-dollar 5-acre campus buildout in collaboration with other non-profits that today serves individuals, family members and caregivers living with Intellectual, Developmental, Physical and Learning Disabilities of all ages annually.

Additionally, Lynda served as the Political Director for Marsy’s Law Victims’ Rights Bill for Nevada, which passed as Question 1 on the November 2018 ballot revising the Nevada Constitution. Lynda also works on statewide committees, programs, and trustee boards that affect systems change, which include The Salvation Army Advisory Board, and Association of Fundraising Professionals Board of Directors and is part-time faculty for the LEND (Leadership and Education for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) through the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities at UNR. She has also served as a Trustee on the Discovery Children’s Museum Board and Autism Coalition of Nevada Board, among others.

Lynda is a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) and is a CLC (Certified Life & Business Coach), and she is truly dedicated to developing and serving families living with autism and special needs, and the next generation of non-profits, philanthropic individuals, families, businesses, and foundations.

Speakers

Trey Delap
AFP Board Member and Government Relations on Problem Gambling

Trey Delap is the Executive Director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. He’s a 34-year Nevada resident and a Boulder City High School and UNLV graduate. From 1996 – 2020 he worked with students studying the Constitution through the competitive “We the People…” program. Professionally – he has enjoyed extraordinary opportunities in Nevada as a Congressional Aide assisting constituents with Medicare and Social Security issues. And later as a regulator in professional licensing for the state. Trey had a break from professional life from 2006 to 2013 to focus on recovery from gambling addiction. In 2014 he founded his own consulting company providing public affairs and lobbying focusing on mental health, addiction, social justice, and professional & occupational licensing. He’s served as a lobbyist full-time in every legislative session since 2017.

In recovery, Trey learned the value of brutal honesty. The truth isn’t always pretty – and we need people like Trey who can face the brutality of undertreated mental health and addiction with compassion and big-picture solutions. Also, we need candidates like Trey to stand up to show the people that recovery is possible, that stigma can be overcome, and that people have always had the power. Trey sees billions of dollars coming into this state (through ARPA) and NO focus or plan for using that money to make a substantial, sustainable investment in empowering all Nevadans to weather an uncertain future.

Brian Hager
President and CEO, Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center

Brian Hager, CMPE, is President and CEO of Grant a Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center, a nonprofit providing multidisciplinary clinical care and support for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions and their families in Southern Nevada. He leads the organization’s strategic direction, fundraising, financial management, and community partnerships, with a focus on expanding access to care and building sustainable capacity to meet growing community needs.

Brian’s work brings together healthcare operations and nonprofit leadership, including public and philanthropic funding, donor engagement, and advocacy. He works with community partners and public agencies to connect funding opportunities with services that make a meaningful difference for families. Before moving to Las Vegas in 2019, he helped lead the growth of a multispecialty healthcare practice in Reno, expanding from four physicians and three specialties to more than ten physicians and seven specialties.

Brian is a Certified Medical Practice Executive and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from American Military University. He is a graduate of the Wynn Nonprofit Fellowship and is pursuing an Executive MBA at Arizona State University. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served six years as an intelligence specialist, including service in Iraq and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom

Janet Quintero
Vice President of External Affairs, United Way of Southern Nevada

Janet joined UWSN in September 2018, initially taking on the role of Community Issues Champion. Her dedication and passion for creating positive changes led her to spearhead the organization’s advocacy, public policy, and community relations efforts. In this capacity, Janet excelled at convening conversations among nonprofit leaders and elected officials, fostering strategic partnerships, and developing programs to advance the organization’s mission.

Prior to joining UWSN, Janet had a great deal of experience in community outreach and advocacy. As an Outreach Relations Coordinator at Penna Powers marketing agency, she actively engaged with diverse communities and facilitated impactful grassroots initiatives. Additionally, Janet served as a Navigator for the Asian Community Resource Center, where she played a vital role in educating and informing the community about essential government resources. Janet’s earned her bachelor’s degree in Urban Affairs from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is an esteemed alumna of the United Way LEAD program and the Jameson Fellowship.

This education luncheon is made possible by the NV Energy Foundation.